239 Snake Hun (1/2)
”Target spotted!”
”Ready all ballistae!” Song Chen ordered. ”Range?”
”Three kilometers!”
”Keep me updated!” Song Chen studied the Cyan Python Lord through his spyglass. ”Load explosive bolts!”
”Explosive bolts!” the order was echoed from ship to ship. FDF personnel set bolts inscribed with explosive runes into the ballistae.
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This was going to be an expensive affair. Explosive bolts, unlike those fitted with runes like Penetration or Impact, were one-use items. Once they hit their targets, they would explode and the bolts themselves would be shattered into countless shards. Song Chen hesitated for a moment, wondering if all this was going to be worth the cost, but George had been quite clear; spare no expense to take down the Cyan Python Lord.
”Fire at five hundred meters!” Song Chen barked.
”That close, sir? But the range of our ballistae can easily hit it from thrice the distance!”
”That close! Those scales on that snake are strong! We need to get in closer, hit it with as much kinetic force as we can muster!”
”Then… should we go even closer sir?”
”No, it can spit venom. We want to hit it as hard as we can while still being safely out of its range.”
”And if it chases us, sir?”
”Kite it! We're in airships, for crying out loud! Just fly straight upwards! Under no circumstances are you ever to put your ship, your crew, and yourself at risk in this operation!”
The Cyan Python Lord seemed to notice them as they neared it. The huge snake reared up, hissing, eyes glowering at Song Chen.
”Hey, hissy! Remember me?!” Song Chen raised his hand. ”I've got a present for you!”
There was a short, dubious silence. Song Chen turned around to see his entire crew looking at him sideways.
”What are you waiting for?” Song Chen barked, feeling a bit embarrassed. ”FIRE!”
”Fire!!” yells rang out through the fleet, and then twelve ballistae launched explosive bolts into the body of the Cyan Python Lord.
The explosions rang out in rapid succession, combined with a roar of fury and pain from the Python. Globs of venom went soaring upwards, but the FDF Corvettes all scrambled for altitude and managed to get out of range in time.
”How high up are we?” Song Chen asked, once he saw those globs failing to reach them.
”Six hundred and thirty meters!”
”Good! Stay at this altitude! Ready second barrage!”
”Another one, sir?”
”Another one! Load explosive bolts!” Song Chen grimaced even as he said it. This attack was definitely going to cost.
The ground shook. Smoke filled the air, almost obscuring the bleeding and torn body of the Cyan Python Lord. Its previously blue-ish scales now dripped red.
”Is that enough, sir?” his crew asked.
Song Chen shook his head. ”Once more. Explosive bolts.”
Now even the crew had grimaces on. Everyone had at least some idea of how much explosive bolts cost, along with the fact that they could not be re-used.
Still, they rained fire down on the snake.
The snake roared at them, but it was visibly weakened now. Song Chen finally nodded. ”Okay. It's time. Load Penetrating Bolts!”
”Seriously? On top of everything else…?” His crew gaped.
”Fire!” Song Chen ordered. ”Keep reloading Penetrating Bolts and fire at will! Don't stop until I say so!”
There were a lot more doubtful looks cast his way then, but the FDF did as he ordered. Bolt after bolt lanced down, spearing the snake until it began to resemble a hedgehog, and finally, it stopped moving entirely, just laying there as bolt after bolt nailed into it from above.
”Stop!” Song Chen ordered at last. The FDF breathed a sigh of relief.
”It's finally over…” one of them said.